2013 Kia Sorento: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Apr 2, 2025 · Engine · 151,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH on an interstate, the vehicle abruptly decelerated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that upon picking up the vehicle from the dealer, the vehicle made an abnormally loud clunking, metal-on-metal sound; however, the dealer confirmed that there was no failure found. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop, where it was determined that the motor mounts had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The manufacturer confirmed the warranty coverage. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000.

Filed Jun 14, 2017 · Engine · 88,130 miles · MI

Kia sorento 2013 88k miles, going down highway, loss of power, light clunking noise. Coasted to stop. Towed to a shop. They said timing chain not lubricated, broke and destroyed cylinder head. Can't get replacement motor because of a freeze on selling these motors.

Filed May 9, 2017 · Engine · 640,000 miles · GA

2013 sorento started making a clicking noise that sounded like a loose fan belt. Then while driving in city traffic and approaching a red traffic light, SUV stalled. Was able to start SUV again and continued home with the engine making a loud clunking noise. Roadside asst towed to dealer who said the engine failed and would need replacing. They also said it would not be covered under warranty. The car has been on the dealers lot for eight months because of the expense of replacing the engine..

Filed Nov 3, 2014 · Electrical · 42,000 miles · FL

This "glitch" happened twice in one week. First, driving off from a stop light at about 15-20 MPH the car seemed to brake itself for about a second, lunged me forward and 30 seconds later died. No check engine light. Car restarted fine after 3rd try. Then again I had let go of the accelerator and was cruising before braking at a light, the car did the same thing at about 25-30 MPH but harder and a loud clunk came from it. Even the tires screeched when it "braked" itself for a second. This second time the car died 2 seconds later when I applied the brakes. Took it straight to the dealer, the car died again in front of them when they switched on the A/C to check if it was working (could be coincidence since I wasn't fooling around with the A/C the first two times). They called me back on second day and asked me to take my car back since they could not replicate the problem and the computer hadn't registered it. I've used it exclusively on highways for 2 days now and no problem. I've done less than 10 miles of city driving since I got my car back. I've heard of other people getting an upgrade for the ecu and solving the issue, but that upgrade was already applied over a year ago to mine and according to the dealer, there is no newer version.

Filed Oct 19, 2014 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · PA

This has now happened about ten times and seems to be a very serious flaw in the transmission and/or powertrain. I'll be in park and shift the car into reverse or drive and when I let up on the brake to idle and proceed slowly there is a loud bang/clunk (almost as if something internal or external is slamming the car with a ramming rod) and the car lurches until I brake. This is very worrisome as I feel that it can injury pedestrians nearby or even the occupants of the vehicle if the car loses control. Also, I don't think this can be good for the automatic transmission or powertrain. Since this happens sporadically, the dealers say they cannot reproduce it and deny a problem. Please advise as to what recourse I might have. Thank you.

Filed Dec 19, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 1,500 miles · IL

Driving on interstate at night at 65 MPH lights flicker inside and headlights. Battery warning light comes on and off several times. The vehicle has also had hard shifting around 20 to 30 MPH, almost like applying brakes on slow down and an engine rev when speeding up. Next night (sunday) vehicle lost all power with no warning while driving on two lane highway at night. Made it off to a side road, but engine still running rough, no response to gas pedal, could not shift vehicle to park, had to hold stop button for long time to finally stop engine, lights came back on, but would not start, finally could put in park. Hauled back to dealer. Service replies wasn't on schedule will maybe get to it today. Defective alternator on "e" order will fix all the problems. Wife refuses to drive unsafe, death trap and that she would not had been able to manage safely if she would of been driving when problems shut down the vehicle.